Lotta Dann is a well-known author and advocate in the addiction recovery space. This year marks 15 years since her last drink.Six years ago, Lotta had a second awakening - this time about diet culture. She&apos;d found a guru with strict rules: no snacking, weigh everything, eliminate flour and sugar. She lost over 15 kilos and the world loved her skinny body. The praise was intoxicating.Then the binging started - hiding her eating, terrible mental anguish. It felt like the end of her drinking days all over again.That&apos;s when Lotta woke up to diet culture and the lies we&apos;re told about diets, bodies and health. You can purchase Lotta&apos;s book &apos;Mrs D is Not on a Diet&apos; <a href='https://www.allenandunwin.co.nz/browse/book/Lotta-Dann-Mrs-D-is-Not-on-a-Diet-9781991006257'>here.</a><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510603/fan_mail/new">We&#39;d love to hear from you. Send us a text or a voicemail by clicking here.</a>If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources: https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/

<description>&lt;p&gt;Lotta Dann is a well-known author and advocate in the addiction recovery space. This year marks 15 years since her last drink.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Six years ago, Lotta had a second awakening - this time about diet culture. She&amp;apos;d found a guru with strict rules: no snacking, weigh everything, eliminate flour and sugar. She lost over 15 kilos and the world loved her skinny body. The praise was intoxicating.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Then the binging started - hiding her eating, terrible mental anguish. It felt like the end of her drinking days all over again.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;That&amp;apos;s when Lotta woke up to diet culture and the lies we&amp;apos;re told about diets, bodies and health. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;You can purchase Lotta&amp;apos;s book &amp;apos;Mrs D is Not on a Diet&amp;apos; &lt;a href='https://www.allenandunwin.co.nz/browse/book/Lotta-Dann-Mrs-D-is-Not-on-a-Diet-9781991006257'&gt;here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510603/fan_mail/new"&gt;We&amp;#39;d love to hear from you. Send us a text or a voicemail by clicking here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources:&lt;/b&gt; https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Lotta Dann is a well-known author and advocate in the addiction recovery space. This year marks 15 years since her last drink. Six years ago, Lotta had a second awakening - this time about diet culture. She'd found a guru with strict rules: no snacking, weigh everything, eliminate flour and sugar. She lost over 15 kilos and the world loved her skinny body. The praise was intoxicating. Then the binging started - hiding her eating, terrible mental anguish. It felt like the end of her drinking d...

Lotta Dann: 'The world loved my skinny body - then the binging started'

Dean Clarkson established <a href='https://www.wana.services/'>Wana Charitable Trust </a>in 2024 to help men and their families who&apos;ve suffered family violence. Based in Takanini, South Auckland, Dean provides safe housing, group therapy, and one-on-one coaching.Dean spent 20 years in an abusive relationship - psychological abuse that escalated to physical violence. He ended up in a Pak&apos;nSave car park in Mangere spitting blood, never once considering walking across the road to the police station.In less than two years, Dean has helped 109 men. When people think family violence, they think male assaults female. Dean is showing the invisible side - that some men are victims too.Family violence affects everyone. Dean is changing the narrative.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510603/fan_mail/new">We&#39;d love to hear from you. Send us a text or a voicemail by clicking here.</a>If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources: https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/

<description>&lt;p&gt;Dean Clarkson established &lt;a href='https://www.wana.services/'&gt;Wana Charitable Trust &lt;/a&gt;in 2024 to help men and their families who&amp;apos;ve suffered family violence. Based in Takanini, South Auckland, Dean provides safe housing, group therapy, and one-on-one coaching.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dean spent 20 years in an abusive relationship - psychological abuse that escalated to physical violence. He ended up in a Pak&amp;apos;nSave car park in Mangere spitting blood, never once considering walking across the road to the police station.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In less than two years, Dean has helped 109 men. When people think family violence, they think male assaults female. Dean is showing the invisible side - that some men are victims too.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Family violence affects everyone. Dean is changing the narrative.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510603/fan_mail/new"&gt;We&amp;#39;d love to hear from you. Send us a text or a voicemail by clicking here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources:&lt;/b&gt; https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Dean Clarkson established Wana Charitable Trust in 2024 to help men and their families who've suffered family violence. Based in Takanini, South Auckland, Dean provides safe housing, group therapy, and one-on-one coaching. Dean spent 20 years in an abusive relationship - psychological abuse that escalated to physical violence. He ended up in a Pak'nSave car park in Mangere spitting blood, never once considering walking across the road to the police station. In less than two years, Dean has he...

Dean Clarkson: Creating safe spaces for men who've suffered family violence

Freddie Bennett co-founded Bay Paediatrics in Tauranga, and in his words, is leading the neurodiversity revolution.Less than 10 years ago, Freddie had the Porsche, the Rolex, the corporate life in the UK. From the outside, it looked like success. Inside, he was falling apart - stressed, depressed, seeking escape.When his dad died suddenly, Freddie spent six months drinking away his sorrows. Then one morning, he looked in the mirror and didn&apos;t recognise the person staring back at him.What happened next changed everything. After years of trying to &apos;fix&apos; himself, transformation came when he stopped fighting his darkness and started loving who he really was.These days, Freddie runs extreme endurance challenges - deserts, the Arctic, and next year, the Amazon jungle. He&apos;s also a Guinness World Record holder (for the fastest marathon dressed as a fisherman). At Bay Paediatrics he helps families support neurodivergent children and hosts the <a href='https://shows.acast.com/epic-families'>Epic Families</a> podcast.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510603/fan_mail/new">We&#39;d love to hear from you. Send us a text or a voicemail by clicking here.</a>If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources: https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/

<description>&lt;p&gt;Freddie Bennett co-founded Bay Paediatrics in Tauranga, and in his words, is leading the neurodiversity revolution.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Less than 10 years ago, Freddie had the Porsche, the Rolex, the corporate life in the UK. From the outside, it looked like success. Inside, he was falling apart - stressed, depressed, seeking escape.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;When his dad died suddenly, Freddie spent six months drinking away his sorrows. Then one morning, he looked in the mirror and didn&amp;apos;t recognise the person staring back at him.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What happened next changed everything. After years of trying to &amp;apos;fix&amp;apos; himself, transformation came when he stopped fighting his darkness and started loving who he really was.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;These days, Freddie runs extreme endurance challenges - deserts, the Arctic, and next year, the Amazon jungle. He&amp;apos;s also a Guinness World Record holder (for the fastest marathon dressed as a fisherman). At Bay Paediatrics he helps families support neurodivergent children and hosts the &lt;a href='https://shows.acast.com/epic-families'&gt;Epic Families&lt;/a&gt; podcast.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510603/fan_mail/new"&gt;We&amp;#39;d love to hear from you. Send us a text or a voicemail by clicking here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources:&lt;/b&gt; https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Freddie Bennett co-founded Bay Paediatrics in Tauranga, and in his words, is leading the neurodiversity revolution. Less than 10 years ago, Freddie had the Porsche, the Rolex, the corporate life in the UK. From the outside, it looked like success. Inside, he was falling apart - stressed, depressed, seeking escape. When his dad died suddenly, Freddie spent six months drinking away his sorrows. Then one morning, he looked in the mirror and didn't recognise the person staring back at him. What h...

Freddie Bennett: 'I had the Porsche, the Rolex.. and was falling apart inside'

Kevin Hollingsworth is a clinical practitioner, addiction counsellor, and executive director of Mana Enhancing Stop Group in Rotorua. He&apos;s been in recovery from methamphetamine addiction for over 16 years.Kevin started using cannabis at six. He transitioned to methamphetamine. In the grip of addiction, the desire to use was stronger than the desire to live. He was arrested 29 times and spent two and a half years in prison.Fast forward and these days, Kevin works with the same police who arrested him. He runs AOD programs in prisons and maraes. His message is simple - recovery doesn&apos;t happen in people, it happens between people.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510603/fan_mail/new">We&#39;d love to hear from you. Send us a text or a voicemail by clicking here.</a>If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources: https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/

<description>&lt;p&gt;Kevin Hollingsworth is a clinical practitioner, addiction counsellor, and executive director of Mana Enhancing Stop Group in Rotorua. He&amp;apos;s been in recovery from methamphetamine addiction for over 16 years.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Kevin started using cannabis at six. He transitioned to methamphetamine. In the grip of addiction, the desire to use was stronger than the desire to live. He was arrested 29 times and spent two and a half years in prison.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Fast forward and these days, Kevin works with the same police who arrested him. He runs AOD programs in prisons and maraes. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;His message is simple - recovery doesn&amp;apos;t happen in people, it happens between people.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510603/fan_mail/new"&gt;We&amp;#39;d love to hear from you. Send us a text or a voicemail by clicking here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources:&lt;/b&gt; https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Kevin Hollingsworth is a clinical practitioner, addiction counsellor, and executive director of Mana Enhancing Stop Group in Rotorua. He's been in recovery from methamphetamine addiction for over 16 years. Kevin started using cannabis at six. He transitioned to methamphetamine. In the grip of addiction, the desire to use was stronger than the desire to live. He was arrested 29 times and spent two and a half years in prison. Fast forward and these days, Kevin works with the same police who arr...

Kevin Hollingsworth: 16 years in recovery from Methamphetamine addiction

Kelsey Waghorn survived the Whakaari White Island volcanic eruption on December 9, 2019. In two minutes, the volcano changed the trajectory of her life.Kelsey made split-second decisions that saved lives - staying still when she wanted to run, getting everyone on the boat when help never came. She spent five days in a coma, weeks in hospital. The burns were catastrophic.But the darkest moment came two years later when the PTSD caught up with her. Kelsey fell into a victim mindset - isolating from family, watching everything burn down around her. Her relationship imploded. That rock bottom jolted her back to life.A trauma specialist helped her understand: her brain had rewired itself. Understanding that changed everything.Kelsey pulled herself out. She&apos;s just published <a href='https://www.harpercollins.co.nz/9781775542919/surviving-white-island-an-inspiring-memoir-of-physical-and-mental-recovery-after-surviving-the-new-zealand-volcanic-eruption/'>her book</a> and is embracing freedom - no longer living in fear. This is a story you won&apos;t forget.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510603/fan_mail/new">We&#39;d love to hear from you. Send us a text or a voicemail by clicking here.</a>If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources: https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/

<description>&lt;p&gt;Kelsey Waghorn survived the Whakaari White Island volcanic eruption on December 9, 2019. In two minutes, the volcano changed the trajectory of her life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Kelsey made split-second decisions that saved lives - staying still when she wanted to run, getting everyone on the boat when help never came. She spent five days in a coma, weeks in hospital. The burns were catastrophic.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But the darkest moment came two years later when the PTSD caught up with her. Kelsey fell into a victim mindset - isolating from family, watching everything burn down around her. Her relationship imploded. That rock bottom jolted her back to life.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;A trauma specialist helped her understand: her brain had rewired itself. Understanding that changed everything.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Kelsey pulled herself out. She&amp;apos;s just published &lt;a href='https://www.harpercollins.co.nz/9781775542919/surviving-white-island-an-inspiring-memoir-of-physical-and-mental-recovery-after-surviving-the-new-zealand-volcanic-eruption/'&gt;her book&lt;/a&gt; and is embracing freedom - no longer living in fear. This is a story you won&amp;apos;t forget.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/2510603/fan_mail/new"&gt;We&amp;#39;d love to hear from you. Send us a text or a voicemail by clicking here.&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;If you need support, here are helpful links, phone numbers and resources:&lt;/b&gt; https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Kelsey Waghorn survived the Whakaari White Island volcanic eruption on December 9, 2019. In two minutes, the volcano changed the trajectory of her life. Kelsey made split-second decisions that saved lives - staying still when she wanted to run, getting everyone on the boat when help never came. She spent five days in a coma, weeks in hospital. The burns were catastrophic. But the darkest moment came two years later when the PTSD caught up with her. Kelsey fell into a victim mindset - isolatin...

Kelsey Waghorn: Surviving White Island - and the PTSD that came later

Take It From Us is the voice of lived experience. In this podcast, you'll hear real people share honest stories about mental health, addiction, trauma and recovery - straight from their own journeys. They'll tell you what actually worked, what didn't, and what they wish they'd known sooner. Host Kent Johns is a former broadcaster-turned-health-coach who believes everyone has a story to tell if people take the time to really listen.&nbsp; So settle in, you're going to hear some stories. Take it from us - and from them. *** If you need support, click here for helpful links, phone numbers and resources:https://ember.org.nz/resources/in-a-crisis/

Take It From Us with Kent Johns

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